Induction heating cooker

Abstract

To provide an induction heating cooker capable of improving visibility of light displayed on a top plate.SOLUTION: An induction heating cooker according to the present disclosure includes a top plate and a light emitting device disposed below the top plate, wherein the light emitting device includes a substrate, a light emitting element mounted on the substrate, and a light guide plate having a longitudinal direction in a direction along the top plate and configured to guide light emitted from the light emitting element, the light guide plate has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in the longitudinal direction, and a dimension of the light guide plate in a height direction decreases from the first end toward the second end, the light guide plate guides the light entering the light guide plate from the first end to the top plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an induction cooker. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an induction cooking device that has a plurality of heating coils arranged around each of which a plurality of light guide plates are provided. In the induction cooking device described in Patent Document 1, the heating area is indicated by the plurality of light guide plates. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-116088 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the induction cooking device described in Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in terms of improving the visibility of the light displayed on the top plate.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide an induction heating cooker that can improve the visibility of light displayed on the top plate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An induction heating cooker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a top plate and a light emitting device disposed below the top plate, the light emitting device including a substrate, a light emitting element mounted on the substrate, and a light guide plate having a longitudinal direction along the top plate and guiding light emitted from the light emitting element, the light guide plate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction, the height dimension of the light guide plate decreasing from the first end toward the second end, and the light guide plate guiding the light entering the light guide plate from the first end to the top plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, an induction cooking device capable of improving the visibility of light displayed on a top plate can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an induction heating cooker according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic plan view showing a coil unit and a light emitting device of an induction heating cooker according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a light emitting device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion Z1 in FIG. 3. [Figure 5A] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an example of an operation of the induction heating cooker according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an example of an operation of the induction heating cooker according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing a coil unit and a light emitting device of an induction heating cooker according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a light emitting device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 8A]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an operation of the induction heating cooker according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an operation of the induction heating cooker according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8C] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an operation of the induction heating cooker according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8D] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an operation of the induction heating cooker according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an induction heating cooker according to a first modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an induction heating cooker according to a second modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an induction heating cooker according to a third modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an induction heating cooker according to a fourth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Background to this disclosure) The induction cooking device described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of light guide plates arranged around a heating coil. The light guide plates emit light when the heating coil heats up, thereby informing the user of the heating area.

[0010] However, the configuration of the light guide plate described in Patent Document 1 is prone to brightness unevenness. For example, the further away from the light emitting element in the light guide plate is, the more differences and attenuation in brightness occur. Therefore, the further away from the light emitting element in the light guide plate is, the lower the brightness becomes. When brightness unevenness occurs in the light guide plate, it may become difficult to see the light displayed on the top plate, reducing visibility.

[0011] Therefore, the present inventor(s) have studied the configuration of an induction cooking device that improves the visibility of the light displayed on the top plate, and have arrived at the present disclosure.

[0012] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or its uses. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions and the like do not necessarily correspond to reality.

[0013] It should be noted that, in this specification, terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as expressing or implying the relative importance or ranking of technical features. Features qualified as "first" and "second" expressly or imply the inclusion of one or more of such features.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) [Overall configuration] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an induction cooking appliance 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The XYZ coordinate system shown in the figure is intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention. The X-axis direction indicates the width direction, the Y-axis direction indicates the depth direction, and the Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction. In plan view, the direction from the front of the top plate 2 to the back is defined as a first direction A1, and the direction perpendicular to the first direction A1 is defined as a second direction A2.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the induction heating cooker 1 is a cooker that induction heats an object C to be heated that contains an object A to be cooked. In this embodiment, the induction heating cooker 1 is a built-in type cooker. The object C to be heated is a cooking vessel, for example, a pot. The object C to be heated is not limited to a cooking vessel, and may be any object that can be induction heated. The object A to be cooked may be a liquid or food material.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the induction cooking appliance 1 includes a top plate 2, a housing 3, a plurality of coil units 4, a controller 5, an operation device 6, and a plurality of light emitting devices 10.

[0017] The top plate 2 is a plate on which the heating object C is placed. The top plate 2 is made of, for example, heat-resistant glass. The top plate 2 is also translucent.

[0018] The housing 3 is attached to the top plate 2. Inside the housing 3, a plurality of coil units 4, a controller 5, an operation device 6, and a plurality of light emitting devices 10 are mounted.

[0019] The coil unit 4 is disposed below the top plate 2, and induction heats the heating object C placed on the top plate 2. That is, the coil unit 4 functions as an induction heating coil unit.

[0020] The controller 5 is a device that controls the operation of the induction cooking appliance 1. The controller 5 includes, for example, a memory that stores a program and a processing circuit corresponding to a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In the controller 5, the processor executes the program or instructions stored in the memory to realize a predetermined function. The function of the controller 5 may be realized by hardware alone, or may be realized by combining hardware and software.

[0021] The controller 5 controls the high-frequency current supplied to the multiple coil units 4. The controller 5 controls the high-frequency current, for example, by controlling an inverter. As a result, for example, the controller 5 adjusts the heating power by adjusting the power supplied to the multiple coil units 4.

[0022] The operation device 6 is a device for operating the operation of the induction cooking appliance 1. For example, the operation device 6 functions as an input device for inputting information from the user and an output device for outputting information to the user. The operation device 6 may include an operation panel for the user to operate the induction cooking appliance 1, buttons for the user to change the heat level, and a display and speaker for notifying the user of the status of the induction cooking appliance 1. For example, the user can adjust the heat levels of the multiple coil units 4 by operating the operation device 6.

[0023] The light emitting device 10 is disposed below the top plate 2, and indicates with light the position on the top plate 2 where the object to be heated C is to be placed in plan view.

[0024] In this specification, "planar view" means a view from the vertical direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the coil unit 4 and the light emitting device 10 of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 shows the configuration of the coil unit 4 and the light emitting device 10 disposed below the top plate 2.

[0026] 2, the coil unit 4 includes a plurality of heating coils 7. The plurality of heating coils 7 are arranged in a heating region S1 in a plan view where an object to be heated is heated.

[0027] In this specification, the "heating region S1" is a region in which the coil unit 4 is arranged in a plan view and is a region that is induction heated by the coil unit 4. For example, the heating region S1 is a region that surrounds the outer periphery of the coil unit 4 in a plan view.

[0028] The heating region S1 has multiple coil arrangement regions S11 to S16. The multiple coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 are arranged adjacent to each other and radially around the center C1 of the heating region S1 in a plan view. Specifically, the multiple coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 are defined by multiple boundary lines L11 to L16 that extend radially from the center C1 of the heating region S1 toward the outer periphery in a plan view, and a periphery line L10 that defines the outer periphery of the heating region S1. The multiple coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 are formed in a fan shape in a plan view. Note that the multiple boundary lines L11 to L16 and the periphery line L10 are imaginary lines.

[0029] In this specification, a "fan shape" is a shape defined by two straight lines (radii) extending from the center of a circle to the periphery in a plan view, and an arc connecting the two straight lines.

[0030] In this embodiment, the boundary lines L11 to L16 are arranged at equal intervals radially from the center C1 of the heating region S1 in a plan view. The boundary lines L11 to L16 are straight lines extending from the center C1 of the heating region S1 toward the periphery in a plan view. The angles formed by two adjacent boundary lines among the boundary lines L11 to L16 are approximately the same. As a result, the coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 have approximately the same shape and approximately the same size in a plan view. In this specification, "approximately" means an error of within 10%, preferably an error of within 5%.

[0031] The heating coils 7 are arranged in the coil arrangement regions S11 to S16, respectively, in a plan view. Specifically, one heating coil 7 is arranged in one coil arrangement region in the heating region S1. As a result, the heating coils 7 are arranged radially and adjacently within the heating region S1 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the coil unit 4 has six heating coils 7.

[0032] The heating coils 7 each have a coil wire wound in a plurality of coil arrangement regions S11 to S16. In plan view, the coil wire is arranged along two adjacent boundary lines among the plurality of boundary lines L11 to L16. Specifically, in plan view, the coil wire is arranged along two adjacent boundary lines and an outer circumferential line L10 connecting the two adjacent boundary lines in one coil arrangement region, and is wound inward.

[0033] In this specification, "arranged along two adjacent boundary lines" means, unless otherwise specified, that there are no other components arranged to block the gap between the boundary lines and the coil wire, and that the coil wire extends in approximately the same direction as the boundary lines. The same applies to "arranged along the outer circumferential line L10."

[0034] The shape of the heating region S1 is not limited to the above example.

[0035] For example, the heating region S1 may be rectangular, elliptical, or regular polygonal in plan view. When the heating region S1 is rectangular in plan view, the center of the heating region S1 is the intersection of the diagonals. When the heating region S1 is elliptical in plan view, the center of the heating region S1 is the intersection of the major axis and the minor axis. When the heating region S1 is regular polygonal in plan view, the center of the heating region S1 is the center of an inscribed circle that touches all of the outer sides that make up the regular polygon.

[0036] Returning to FIG. 2, each of the plurality of light emitting devices 10 includes a substrate 11, a light emitting element 12, and a light guide plate 20. The plurality of light emitting devices 10 are arranged outside the coil unit 4 in a planar view. Specifically, a non-heated region NS1 is provided outside the heated region S1 in a planar view. The non-heated region NS1 is a region outside the heated region S1 in which the coil unit 4 is arranged, in a planar view, where the coil unit 4 is not arranged. The plurality of light emitting devices 10 are arranged in the non-heated region NS1.

[0037] In this embodiment, in a plan view, two light emitting devices 10 are arranged with a heating region S1 sandwiched between them. Specifically, the two light emitting devices 10 face each other in a second direction A2 that is perpendicular to the first direction A1, and are arranged with the heating region S1 sandwiched between them.

[0038] In a plan view, the light emitting device 10 has a substantially rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction in the first direction A1. Therefore, light emitted from the light emitting device 10 is displayed as a long, thin rectangular line on the top plate 2. The shape of the light emitting device 10 is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape. For example, the light emitting device 10 may have a shape that tapers toward one end in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the shape of the light displayed on the top plate 2 may be a shape that tapers in the longitudinal direction, or a shape in which circles or ellipses are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction (dotted line), etc.

[0039] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the light emitting device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion Z1 in Fig. 3.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, Circuits or elements that control the operation of the light emitting device 10 are mounted on the substrate 11. The substrate 11 has a first mounting surface 11a and a second mounting surface 11b opposite to the first mounting surface 11a.

[0041] The light emitting element 12 is an element that emits light. For example, the light emitting element 12 is an LED. The light emitting element 12 is mounted on the first mounting surface 11a of the substrate 11. The light emitting element 12 emits light in the longitudinal direction of the light emitting device 10.

[0042] The light guide plate 20 has a longitudinal direction along the top plate 2 and guides light emitted from the light emitting element 12. The light guide plate 20 has a first end E1 and a second end E2 opposite the first end E1 in the longitudinal direction. A dimension D1 in the height direction (Z direction) of the light guide plate 20 decreases from the first end E1 toward the second end E2. The light guide plate 20 guides light that enters the light guide plate 20 from the first end E1 to the top plate 2. The thickness of the light guide plate 20 is approximately constant.

[0043] The light guide plate 20 has a reflecting surface 20a and an upper surface 20b opposite to the reflecting surface 20a. In the height direction (Z direction) of the induction cooking appliance 1, the reflecting surface 20a is located lower than the upper surface 20b. A top plate 2 is disposed above the upper surface 20b, and light from the upper surface 20b passes through the top plate 2 and is visible to a user.

[0044] The reflecting surface 20a is inclined from the first end E1 to the second end E2 in a direction approaching the top plate 2. The reflecting surface 20a is continuously curved from the first end E1 to the second end E2.

[0045] A plurality of protrusions 21 are provided on the reflecting surface 20a. The plurality of protrusions 21 are provided at approximately equal intervals. The shape and dimensions of the plurality of protrusions 21 are approximately the same. For example, the plurality of protrusions 21 are formed in a wave shape progressing in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the plurality of protrusions 21 are formed in an approximately sawtooth shape. The approximately sawtooth shape may be a shape including protrusions with rounded tips.

[0046] 4, each of the multiple protrusions 21 has a first wall 22 and a second wall 23 that intersects with the first wall 22. The first wall 22 is disposed closer to the first end E1 than the second wall 23. The inclination angle θ2 of the second wall 23 with respect to the longitudinal direction is smaller than the inclination angle θ1 of the first wall 22 with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0047] The height of the multiple protrusions 21 is, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. Preferably, the height of the multiple protrusions 21 is 0.7 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.0 mm or more and 2.3 mm or less. The inclination angle θ1 of the first wall 22 is, for example, 86° or more and 98° or less. Preferably, the inclination angle θ1 of the first wall 22 is 88° or more and 96° or less, and more preferably 90° or more and 94° or less. The inclination angle θ2 of the second wall 23 is, for example, 37° or more and 67° or less. Preferably, the inclination angle θ2 of the second wall 23 is 42° or more and 62° or less, and more preferably 47° or more and 57° or less. Configuring the multiple protrusions 21 within such numerical ranges facilitates reflection and scattering of light, thereby further reducing brightness unevenness.

[0048] The reflecting surface 20a is provided with irregularities. In this embodiment, the irregularities are provided on the plurality of protrusions 21. Specifically, the irregularities are provided on the second walls 23 of the plurality of protrusions 21. The irregularities have the function of reflecting and scattering light when it hits the plurality of protrusions 21. The size of the irregularities is smaller than the size of the plurality of protrusions 21. For example, the irregularities are provided by applying a texturing process to the surfaces of the plurality of protrusions 21. For example, the irregularities are irregular with an arithmetic surface roughness of 10 μm or less.

[0049] The light guide plate 20 is made of, for example, a light-transmitting material. Examples of light-transmitting materials include resin and glass. The light guide plate 20 may also be made of a highly heat-resistant material. For example, the light guide plate 20 is made of polyarylate or polycarbonate.

[0050] 3, in the light emitting device 10, the light guide plate 20 is disposed on the first mounting surface 11a side of the substrate 11. Therefore, light emitted from the light emitting element 12 enters the first end E1 of the light guide plate 20, is reflected by the reflecting surface 20a, and is guided to the upper surface 20b.

[0051] Generally, when light is incident on one longitudinal end of a light guide plate, the light is likely to be attenuated at the other longitudinal end of the light guide plate. In contrast, in the light guide plate 20, the height dimension D1 of the light guide plate 20 decreases from the first end E1 to the second end E2. This makes it easier for light reflected by the reflective surface 20a to be concentrated toward the second end E2, making it easier to ensure brightness at the second end E2. This makes it possible to suppress the attenuation of light at the second end E2 of the light guide plate 20.

[0052] In addition, a plurality of protrusions 21 are provided on the reflective surface 20a. This makes it easier for light to be reflected and scattered on the reflective surface 20a. With the plurality of protrusions 21, when light is reflected by the second wall 23, the amount of light reflected toward the first end E1 of the light guide plate 20 can be reduced and the amount of light reflected toward the second end E2 can be increased in a portion close to the second end E2 of the light guide plate 20 when light is reflected by the second wall 23.

[0053] In addition, the reflective surface 20a is provided with unevenness, which makes it easier for light to be reflected while being scattered by the reflective surface 20a, blurring the boundary between areas of high and low brightness, thereby further reducing uneven brightness.

[0054] [Operation] An example of the operation of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0055] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5A shows a state in which the light emitting device 10 is not emitting light, and Fig. 5B shows a state in which the light emitting device 10 is emitting light. In Figs. 5A and 5B, the heated heating region S1 is indicated by a solid line, and the unheated heating region S1 is indicated by a dashed line. Furthermore, the light displayed on the top plate 2 is indicated by hatching.

[0056] 5A, two light emitting devices 10 are arranged below a top plate 2 with a heating region S1 sandwiched between them. The longitudinal direction of the two light emitting devices 10 is the first direction A1 of the top plate 2. In addition, in a plan view, the two light emitting devices 10 are arranged with a gap between them in a second direction A2 that is perpendicular to the first direction A1.

[0057] When the two light-emitting devices 10 are not emitting light, i.e., when the two light-emitting devices 10 are turned OFF, a user cannot see the light from the light-emitting devices 10 on the top plate 2. When heating the heating object C in the heating region S1, for example, when the user operates the operation device 6 to start heating by the coil unit 4, the controller 5 turns on the two light-emitting devices 10.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5B, when the two light-emitting devices 10 are turned on and emit light, the light from the two light-emitting devices 10 passes through the top plate 2. This causes two opposing lines of light to be displayed on the top plate 2. The two lines of light are displayed in the non-heated area NS1 on both sides of the heated area S1. The user can visually recognize the two lines of light and recognize that the heated area S1 is located between the two lines of light. As a result, the user can easily know where to place the object to be heated C.

[0059] The controller 5 may independently or synchronously control the ON / OFF of the light of the two light-emitting devices 10. The controller 5 may also change the brightness of the two light-emitting devices 10 according to the heating power of the coil unit 4, i.e., the heating power of the multiple heating coils 7. For example, the controller 5 may increase the brightness of the two light-emitting devices 10 as the heating power of the multiple heating coils 7 increases. Alternatively, the controller 5 may change the brightness of the two light-emitting devices 10 according to the temperature after heating of the object C is stopped. The controller 5 may also change the brightness of the two light-emitting devices 10 according to the temperature after heating of the object C is stopped and the object C is moved from the top plate 2.

[0060] [effect] The induction heating cooker 1 according to the first embodiment has the following advantages.

[0061] The induction cooking appliance 1 of the present disclosure includes a top plate 2 and a light emitting device 10 disposed below the top plate 2. The light emitting device 10 includes a substrate 11, a light emitting element 12 mounted on the substrate 11, and a light guide plate 20 having a longitudinal direction along the top plate 2 and guiding light emitted from the light emitting element 12. The light guide plate 20 has, in the longitudinal direction, a first end E1 and a second end E2 opposite the first end E1. A dimension D1 in the height direction of the light guide plate 20 decreases from the first end E1 toward the second end E2. The light guide plate 20 guides light entering the light guide plate 20 from the first end E1 to the top plate 2.

[0062] This configuration can improve the visibility of the light displayed on the top plate 2. For example, in the induction cooking device 1, it is possible to reduce uneven brightness of the light guided from the light guide plate 20 onto the top plate 2. This makes it easier to see the light displayed on the top plate 2, and allows the user to easily determine, for example, the position where the object to be heated C is to be placed.

[0063] The light guide plate 20 has a reflective surface 20a that is inclined from the first end E1 toward the second end E2 toward the top plate 2 and reflects light. With this configuration, light reflected by the reflective surface 20a is more likely to be concentrated toward the second end E2, making it easier to ensure brightness at the second end E2. This makes it possible to suppress attenuation of light at the second end E2 side of the light guide plate 20. This makes it possible to reduce brightness unevenness in the light emitting device 10.

[0064] The reflective surface 20a is provided with a plurality of protrusions 21. With this configuration, the reflective surface 20a can easily reflect and scatter light, thereby further reducing uneven brightness.

[0065] The multiple protrusions 21 are provided at approximately equal intervals. This configuration makes it easier to reflect and scatter light evenly on the reflective surface 20a, thereby further reducing brightness unevenness. Specifically, by making areas where brightness is high due to the reflection of light by the multiple protrusions 21 continuous, it is possible to reduce areas where brightness is low and suppress brightness unevenness.

[0066] Each of the multiple protrusions 21 has a first wall 22 and a second wall 23 intersecting the first wall 22. The first wall 22 is positioned closer to the first end E1 than the second wall 23. The inclination angle θ2 of the second wall 23 relative to the longitudinal direction is smaller than the inclination angle θ1 of the first wall 22 relative to the longitudinal direction. This configuration facilitates reflection and scattering of light at the multiple protrusions 21, thereby further reducing brightness unevenness. For example, when light is reflected by the second wall 23, in a portion close to the first end E1 of the light guide plate 20, the light reflected toward the first end E1 can be reduced and the light reflected toward the second end E2 can be increased. Furthermore, in a portion close to the second end E2 of the light guide plate 20, the light reflected by the second wall 23 can be increased.

[0067] The reflective surface 20a has an uneven surface. This structure makes it easier for the uneven surface to scatter and reflect light, blurring the boundary between areas of high and low brightness, thereby further reducing uneven brightness.

[0068] The induction cooking appliance 1 includes a heating coil 7 disposed below the top plate 2. In a plan view, there are a heating region S1 where the heating coil 7 is disposed, and a non-heating region NS1 outside the heating region S1 where the heating coil 7 is not disposed. The light emitting device 10 is disposed in the non-heating region NS1. With this configuration, the position of the heating region S1 can be easily identified by the light from the light emitting device 10 displayed on the top plate 2. This allows the user to easily place the object to be heated C in the heating region S1 based on the light from the light emitting device 10.

[0069] The control method for the induction heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure has the same effects as those of the induction heating cooker 1 described above.

[0070] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the induction heating cooker 1 is provided with the operating device 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. The operating device 6 does not have to be an essential component of the induction heating cooker 1. For example, the induction heating cooker 1 may be operated by an external device. The external device may be, for example, an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet PC. Furthermore, the operating device 6 may be provided on the top plate 2, or may be provided at any location on the induction heating cooker 1.

[0071] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the coil unit 4 includes six heating coils 7, but this is not limiting. The coil unit 4 may include one or more heating coils 7. That is, the coil unit 4 may be configured with a single heating coil 7. Furthermore, when the coil unit 4 is configured with multiple heating coils 7, the arrangement of the multiple heating coils 7 may be designed arbitrarily. For example, the multiple heating coils 7 may be arranged in a lattice array.

[0072] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the induction cooking appliance 1 includes two light emitting devices 10, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the induction cooking appliance 1 may include one or more light emitting devices 10.

[0073] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the longitudinal direction of the light emitting device 10 is the first direction A1, but this is not limiting. The longitudinal direction of the light emitting device 10 may be a direction other than the first direction A1. For example, the longitudinal direction of the light emitting device 10 may be a direction intersecting the first direction A1, or may be a second direction A2 perpendicular to the first direction A1.

[0074] In the present embodiment, an example in which the unevenness is provided on the second walls 23 of the plurality of protrusions 21 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the unevenness may be provided on the first walls 22 of the plurality of protrusions 21. Furthermore, the unevenness may be provided on the entire surfaces of the plurality of protrusions 21, or on parts of the plurality of protrusions 21. For example, the unevenness may be provided from the center to the first end E1 in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 20, or from the center to the second end E2 in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 20. With this configuration, the intensity of light reflected and scattered by the reflective surface 20a can be controlled. This allows the intensity of light displayed on the top plate 2 to be controlled, thereby making the display of light easier for the user to see.

[0075] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which light is made uniform to suppress brightness unevenness in order to improve the visibility of light displayed on the top plate 2. However, this is not limiting. By devising the structure of the light guide plate 20, the brightness distribution of light displayed on the top plate 2 can also be controlled to make it easier for the user to see. For example, the brightness distribution may be controlled by partially providing a plurality of protrusions 21 and / or unevenness. As an example, to realize a display of light in which the brightness decreases toward the first end E1 of the light guide plate 20, the light guide plate 20 may be configured to have unevenness from the center to the second end E2 in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 20, but not from the center to the first end E1. As another example, to realize a display of light in which the brightness decreases toward the second end E2 of the light guide plate 20, the light guide plate 20 may be configured to have unevenness from the center to the first end E1 in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 20, but not from the center to the second end E2.

[0076] Furthermore, the roughness of the projections and recesses may be changed stepwise in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 20. For example, the roughness of the projections and recesses may be changed in a gradational manner. That is, the light guide plate 20 may be configured so that the roughness of the projections and recesses increases or decreases stepwise from the first end E1 to the second end E2 of the light guide plate 20.

[0077] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the dimension D1 in the height direction (Z direction) of the light guide plate 20 decreases from the first end E1 to the second end E2, but this is not limiting. The dimension D1 in the height direction (Z direction) of the light guide plate 20 may be changed depending on the desired brightness distribution. For example, the dimension D1 in the height direction (Z direction) of the light guide plate 20 may be constant, or may decrease from the second end E2 to the first end E1. Alternatively, the light guide plate 20 may be configured so that the dimension D1 at the center of the light guide plate 20 in the longitudinal direction is larger than those at the first end E1 and the second end E2.

[0078] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the light emitting device 10 includes one light emitting element 12 that emits light incident on the first end E1 of the light guide plate 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. The light emitting device 10 may include one or more light emitting elements 12. For example, the light emitting device 10 may include another light emitting element that emits light incident on the second end E2 of the light guide plate 20.

[0079] (Embodiment 2) Second Embodiment An induction heating cooker according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0080] In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, the same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, in the second embodiment, descriptions that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0081] Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a coil unit 4A and light emitting devices 10, 10A of an induction heating cooker 1A according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of a light emitting device 10A according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0082] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a heating region S2 is provided that partially overlaps the heating region S1 in plan view, and in that a light emitting device 10A is provided.

[0083] In this embodiment, the heating region S1 is referred to as the first heating region S1, and the heating region S2 is referred to as the second heating region S2. The light emitting device 10 is referred to as the first light emitting device 10, and the light emitting device 10A is referred to as the second light emitting device 10A. The light emitting element 12 of the first light emitting device 10 is referred to as the first light emitting element 12, and the light emitting elements 12A and 12B of the second light emitting device 10A are referred to as the second light emitting element 12A and the third light emitting element 12B, respectively. The light guide plate 20 of the first light emitting device 10 is referred to as the first light guide plate 20, and the light guide plates 20A and 20B of the second light emitting device 10A are referred to as the second light guide plate 20A and the third light guide plate 20B, respectively.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 6, in plan view, the coil unit 4A includes a plurality of heating coils 7 arranged in the first heating region S1 as well as a plurality of heating coils 7 arranged in the second heating region S2.

[0085] In this embodiment, the second heating region S2 is located further back in the first direction A1 than the first heating region S1. In addition, the first heating region S1 and the second heating region S2 partially overlap in a plan view. The region where the first heating region S1 and the second heating region S2 partially overlap is referred to as an overlap region DS1.

[0086] The second heating region S2 is a region having a center C2 in a plan view, and is a region in which a plurality of heating coils 7 are arranged. In the second heating region S2, the plurality of heating coils 7 are arranged adjacent to each other. Specifically, in a plan view, the plurality of heating coils 7 are arranged radially in the second heating region S2. In this embodiment, the second heating region S2 has a circular shape in a plan view. Note that the second heating region S2 is not limited to a circular shape in a plan view, and may have a polygonal outer shape.

[0087] The second heating region S2 has multiple coil arrangement regions S21 to S26. The multiple coil arrangement regions S21 to S26 are arranged adjacent to each other and radially centered on the center C2 of the second heating region S2 in a plan view. Specifically, the multiple coil arrangement regions S21 to S26 are defined by multiple boundary lines L21 to L26 that extend radially from the center C2 of the second heating region S2 toward the outer periphery in a plan view, and a periphery line L20 that defines the outer periphery of the second heating region S2. Note that the multiple boundary lines L21 to L26 and the periphery line L20 are imaginary lines.

[0088] The boundary lines L21 to L26 are arranged at equal intervals radially from the center C2 of the second heating region S2 in a plan view. The boundary lines L21 to L26 are straight lines extending from the center C2 of the second heating region S2 toward the outer periphery in a plan view. The angles formed by two adjacent boundary lines among the boundary lines L21 to L26 are substantially the same. As a result, the coil arrangement regions S21 to S26 have substantially the same shape and dimensions in a plan view.

[0089] Each of the plurality of coil arrangement regions S21 to S26 has a sector shape in plan view.

[0090] In this embodiment, the second heating region S2 has six boundary lines L21 to L26, and the angle between two adjacent boundary lines is 60 degrees. This divides the second heating region S2 into six coil arrangement regions S21 to S26 that have approximately the same shape and dimensions in a plan view.

[0091] In this embodiment, the two coil arrangement regions S25, S26 in the second heating region S2 overlap with the two coil arrangement regions S11, S12 in the first heating region S1. That is, the two coil arrangement regions S25, S26 in the second heating region S2 and the two coil arrangement regions S11, S12 in the first heating region S1 form an overlapping region DS1. Furthermore, the boundary line L26 in the second heating region S2 overlaps with the boundary line L11 in the first heating region S1.

[0092] In the second heating region S2, the heating coils 7 are respectively arranged in the coil arrangement regions S21 to S26 in a plan view, so that the heating coils 7 are arranged radially and adjacently in the second heating region S2 in a plan view.

[0093] In this embodiment, six heating coils 7 are arranged in the second heating region S2. Two heating coils 7 are shared between the first heating region S1 and the second heating region S2. The two shared heating coils 7 are arranged in two coil arrangement regions S25 and S26 in the second heating region S2 and two coil arrangement regions S11 and S12 in the first heating region S1.

[0094] For example, the controller 5 can implement first to third heating states by controlling the high-frequency currents supplied to the multiple heating coils 7 of the coil unit 4A. For example, the first heating state is a state in which heating is performed by six heating coils 7 arranged in the first heating region S1. The second heating state is a state in which heating is performed by six heating coils 7 arranged in the second heating region S2. The third heating state is a state in which heating is performed by ten heating coils 7 arranged in the third heating region S3 which includes the first heating region S1 and the second heating region S2.

[0095] The induction cooking appliance 1A includes a plurality of first light emitting devices 10 and a plurality of second light emitting devices 10A. The plurality of first light emitting devices 10 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 10A each have a longitudinal direction in a first direction A1. The plurality of first light emitting devices 10 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 10A are arranged side by side and discontinuously in the first direction A1.

[0096] In this embodiment, the induction cooking appliance 1A includes two first light-emitting devices 10 and two second light-emitting devices 10A. In a plan view, the two first light-emitting devices 10 are disposed further back in the first direction A1 than the two second light-emitting devices 10A. In addition, in a plan view, a first light guide plate 20, a second light guide plate 20A, and a third light guide plate 20B are disposed intermittently in line in the first direction A1 on both sides of the first heating region S1 and the second heating region S2, respectively. The first light guide plate 20, the second light guide plate 20A, and the third light guide plate 20B are disposed in a non-heating region NS1 adjacent to the first heating region S1, the second heating region S2, and the overlap region DS1.

[0097] The two first light emitting devices 10 face each other in a plan view, with the second heating region S2 sandwiched between them. The two second light emitting devices 10A face each other in a plan view, with the first heating region S1 sandwiched between them.

[0098] The detailed configuration of the second light emitting device 10A will be described with reference to FIG.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 7, the second light emitting device 10A includes a substrate 11, a second light emitting element 12A, a third light emitting element 12B, a second light guide plate 20A, and a third light guide plate 20B.

[0100] The second light-emitting element 12A is mounted on the first mounting surface 11a of the substrate 11. The second light guide plate 20A is disposed on the first mounting surface 11a side of the substrate 11, and receives light from the second light-emitting element 12A.

[0101] The third light-emitting element 12B is mounted on the second mounting surface 11b of the substrate 11. The third light guide plate 20B is disposed on the second mounting surface 11b side of the substrate 11, and receives light from the third light-emitting element 12B.

[0102] The second light-emitting element 12A is the same as the light-emitting element 12 described in the first embodiment, and the third light-emitting element 12B is the same except that it is attached to the second mounting surface 11b of the substrate 11 and the light emission direction is different. For example, the light emission direction of the third light-emitting element 12B is opposite to the light emission direction of the second light-emitting element 12A. The second light guide plate 20A is the same as the light guide plate 20 described in the first embodiment. The third light guide plate 20B has a configuration similar to that of the light guide plate 20 described in the first embodiment, except that it is arranged on the second mounting surface 11b side of the substrate 11.

[0103] 6, in this embodiment, two third light guide plates 20B are arranged facing each other with a first heating region S1 therebetween in a plan view. Also, two second light guide plates 20A are arranged facing each other with an overlapping region DS1 therebetween in a plan view. Also, two first light guide plates 20 are arranged facing each other with a second heating region S2 therebetween in a plan view.

[0104] For example, the controller 5 may independently control the plurality of light-emitting elements 12, 12A, 12B in the two first light-emitting devices 10 and the two second light-emitting devices 10A. Alternatively, the controller 5 may synchronously control at least two or more of the plurality of light-emitting elements 12, 12A, 12B in the two first light-emitting devices 10 and the two second light-emitting devices 10A.

[0105] [Operation] An example of the operation of the induction heating cooker 1A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8D.

[0106] 8A to 8D are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the induction cooking appliance 1A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8A shows a state in which the first light-emitting device 10 and the second light-emitting device 10A are not emitting light. FIG. 8B shows a state in which the second light-emitting device 10A is emitting light. FIG. 8C shows a state in which the first light-emitting device 10 and the second light-emitting device 10A are partially emitting light. FIG. 8D shows a state in which the first light-emitting device 10 and the second light-emitting device 10A are emitting light. In FIGS. 8A to 8D, heated heating regions S1, S2, and S3 are indicated by solid lines, and unheated heating regions S1, S2, and S3 are indicated by dashed lines. Light displayed on the top plate 2 is indicated by hatching. Light displayed on the top plate 2 is also indicated by hatching.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 8A, when the first light-emitting device 10 and the second light-emitting device 10A are not emitting light, i.e., when the first light-emitting device 10 and the second light-emitting device 10A are turned off, a user cannot see the light from the first light-emitting device 10 and the second light-emitting device 10A on the top plate 2.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 8B , in the first heating state in which the heating target C is heated by the six heating coils 7 arranged in the first heating region S1, the controller 5 turns on the second light-emitting elements 12A and the third light-emitting elements 12B of the two second light-emitting devices 10A. The light emitted from the second light-emitting elements 12A and the third light-emitting elements 12B is guided onto the top plate 2 by the second light guide plate 20A and the third light guide plate 20B, and four lines of light are displayed on the top plate 2. Specifically, in a plan view, two lines of light are displayed intermittently in a row in the first direction A1 in the non-heating region NS1 on both sides of the first heating region S1 in the second direction A2. The first heating region S1 is located within the region surrounded by the four lines of light. Therefore, the user can easily identify the first heating region S1 by visually recognizing the four lines of light.

[0109] In the example shown in FIG. 8B, the controller 5 controls the second light-emitting element 12A and the third light-emitting element 12B in synchronization with each other.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 8C , in the second heating state in which the heating target C is heated by six heating coils 7 arranged in the second heating region S2, the controller 5 turns on the first light-emitting elements 12 of the two first light-emitting devices 10 and the second light-emitting elements 12A of the two second light-emitting devices 10A. The light emitted from the first light-emitting elements 12 and the second light-emitting elements 12A is guided onto the top plate 2 by the first light guide plate 20 and the second light guide plate 20A, and four lines of light are displayed on the top plate 2. Specifically, in a plan view, two lines of light are displayed intermittently in a row in the first direction A1 in the non-heating region NS1 on both sides of the second heating region S2 in the second direction A2. The second heating region S2 is located within the region surrounded by the four lines of light. Therefore, the user can easily identify the second heating region S2 by visually recognizing the four lines of light.

[0111] In the example shown in FIG. 8C, the controller 5 controls the first light-emitting element 12 and the second light-emitting element 12A in synchronization with each other.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 8D , in the third heating state in which the heating target C is heated by ten heating coils 7 arranged in the third heating region S3, the controller 5 turns on the first light-emitting elements 12 of the two first light-emitting devices 10 and the second light-emitting elements 12A and third light-emitting elements 12B of the two second light-emitting devices 10A. Light emitted from the first light-emitting elements 12, the second light-emitting elements 12A, and the third light-emitting elements 12B is guided onto the top plate 2 by the first light guide plate 20, the second light guide plate 20A, and the third light guide plate 20B, and six lines of light are displayed on the top plate 2. Specifically, in a plan view, three lines of light are displayed intermittently in a row in the first direction A1 in the non-heating region NS1 on both sides of the third heating region S3 in the second direction A2. The third heating region S3 is located within the region surrounded by the six lines of light. Therefore, a user can easily identify the third heating region S3 by visually recognizing the six lines of light. Furthermore, by looking at the light displayed by the second light guide plate 20A of the second light emitting device 10A, the central portion of the third heating region S3 in the first direction A1 can be easily identified.

[0113] In the example shown in FIG. 8D, the controller 5 controls the first light-emitting element 12, the second light-emitting element 12A, and the third light-emitting element 12B in synchronization with each other.

[0114] The controller 5 may change the brightness of the plurality of light-emitting elements 12, 12A, 12B in the plurality of first light-emitting devices 10 and the plurality of second light-emitting devices 10A according to the heating power of the plurality of heating coils 7.

[0115] The controller 5 may independently control the plurality of light-emitting elements 12, 12A, and 12B. For example, the controller 5 may illuminate the plurality of light-emitting elements 12, 12A, and 12B in a stepwise manner. For example, the controller 5 may illuminate the plurality of light-emitting elements 12, 12A, and 12B in sequence from the front of the top plate 2 to the back. That is, the controller 5 may illuminate the plurality of light-emitting elements 12, 12A, and 12B from the front of the top plate 2 to the back with a time lag. Alternatively, the controller 5 may alternately illuminate the light-emitting elements 12, 12A, and 12B adjacent to each other in the first direction A1. The controller 5 may alternately illuminate the light-emitting elements 12, 12A, and 12B adjacent to each other in the second direction A2.

[0116] [effect] The induction heating cooker 1A according to the second embodiment has the following advantages.

[0117] In the induction cooking appliance 1A of the present disclosure, the substrate 11 has a first mounting surface 11a and a second mounting surface 11b opposite the first mounting surface 11a. The light-emitting elements include a second light-emitting element 12A mounted on the first mounting surface 11a and a third light-emitting element 12B mounted on the second mounting surface 11b. The light guide plate includes a second light guide plate 20A disposed on the first mounting surface 11a side of the substrate 11 and receiving light from the second light-emitting element 12A, and a third light guide plate 20B disposed on the second mounting surface 11b side of the substrate 11 and receiving light from the third light-emitting element 12B. This configuration allows two light-emitting elements 12A and 12B and two light guide plates 20A and 20B to be provided on one substrate 11. This reduces costs and saves space while improving the visibility of the light displayed on the top plate 2.

[0118] In a plan view, the light emitting device includes a plurality of light emitting devices 10, 10A arranged side by side in a first direction A1 extending from the front of the top plate 2 toward the back. With this configuration, the visibility of the light displayed on the top plate 2 can be further improved.

[0119] The controller 5 independently controls the light-emitting elements 12, 12A, and 12B of the light-emitting devices 10 and 10A. With this configuration, the positions of the heating regions S1 and S2 that heat the object C can be indicated by light according to a plurality of heating states, so that the user can easily identify the heating regions S1 and S2 by visually recognizing the light.

[0120] The controller 5 changes the brightness of the plurality of light-emitting elements 12, 12A, 12B in accordance with the heating power of the heating coil 7. With this configuration, the user can easily know the heating power by looking at the brightness of the light displayed in the non-heated area NS1 of the top plate 2.

[0121] The controller 5 causes the plurality of light emitting elements 12, 12A, and 12B to emit light in stages. With this configuration, the positions of the heated regions S1 and S2 can be more clearly indicated to the user by the light.

[0122] In a plan view, the heating region includes a first heating region S1 and a second heating region S2 that partially overlaps the first heating region S1. The plurality of light emitting devices 10, 10A include a plurality of first light emitting devices 10 arranged with the second heating region S2 sandwiched therebetween in the second direction A2, and a plurality of second light emitting devices 10A arranged with the first heating region S1 sandwiched therebetween in the second direction A2. With this configuration, the first heating region S1 and the second heating region S2 can be properly indicated by light from the plurality of first light emitting devices 10 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 10A.

[0123] The longitudinal direction of the light guide plates 20, 20A, and 20B is a first direction A1, and the plurality of first light emitting devices 10 and the plurality of second light emitting devices 10A are arranged side by side intermittently in the first direction A1. This configuration allows for a display that is easier for the user to understand.

[0124] The light emitting devices 10, 10A each include a plurality of light guide plates and a plurality of light emitting elements. The light guide plates include a third light guide plate 20B disposed in a non-heated region NS1 adjacent to the first heating region S1, a second light guide plate 20A disposed in a non-heated region NS1 adjacent to an overlap region DS1 where the first heating region S1 and the second heating region S2 partially overlap, and a first light guide plate 20 disposed in the non-heated region NS1 adjacent to the second heating region S2. The light emitting elements include a first light emitting element 12 that inputs light to the first light guide plate 20, a second light emitting element 12A that inputs light to the second light guide plate 20A, and a third light emitting element 12B that inputs light to the third light guide plate 20B. The controller 5 is capable of synchronously controlling the first light emitting element 12 and the second light emitting element 12A, and is also capable of synchronously controlling the second light emitting element 12A and the third light emitting element 12B. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce costs and save space, while improving the visibility of the light displayed on the top plate 2.

[0125] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the induction cooking appliance 1A includes a plurality of first light-emitting devices 10 and a plurality of second light-emitting devices 10A, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the induction cooking appliance 1A may not include the second light-emitting device 10A. For example, the induction cooking appliance 1A may include two or more first light-emitting devices 10 in the non-heating area NS1 adjacent to either the left or right of the heating areas S1, S2 in the second direction A2 in a plan view. Alternatively, the induction cooking appliance 1A may not include the first light-emitting device 10. For example, the induction cooking appliance 1A may include the second light-emitting device 10A in the non-heating area NS1 adjacent to either the left or right of the heating areas S1, S2 in the second direction A2 in a plan view.

[0126] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the induction cooking appliance 1A includes two first light emitting devices 10 and two second light emitting devices 10A, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of first light emitting devices 10 and second light emitting devices 10A may be changed depending on the design.

[0127] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the first heating region S1 and the second heating region S2 partially overlap in a plan view, but this is not limiting. For example, the first heating region S1 and the second heating region S2 do not necessarily have to partially overlap.

[0128] In the present embodiment, an example in which two heating regions S1 and S2 are provided has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is sufficient that two or more heating regions are provided.

[0129] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the coil unit 4A includes ten heating coils 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. The coil unit 4A may include at least two heating coils 7 arranged in the first heating region S1 and the second heating region S2.

[0130] The following describes modified examples.

[0131] (Variation 1) An induction heating cooker 1 according to a first modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0132] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an induction heating cooker 1 according to the first modification.

[0133] 9, induction heating cooker 1 of Modification 1 includes one light emitting device 10. Other configurations of induction heating cooker 1 of Modification 1 are similar to those of induction heating cooker 1 of the first embodiment.

[0134] In Modification 1, the light emitting device 10 is disposed on one side of the heated region S1 in a plan view. Specifically, the light emitting device 10 has a longitudinal direction in a first direction A1. The light emitting device 10 is disposed in a non-heated region NS1 adjacent to the heated region S1 on one side in a second direction A2 perpendicular to the first direction A1.

[0135] Even with this configuration, the visibility of the light displayed on the top plate 2 can be improved.

[0136] (Variation 2) An induction heating cooker 1 according to a second modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0137] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the induction heating cooker 1 of the second modification.

[0138] 10, the induction heating cooker 1 of Modification 2 includes two light emitting devices 10A. Other configurations of the induction heating cooker 1 of Modification 2 are similar to those of the induction heating cooker 1 of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the light emitting device 10A of Modification 2 is similar to the second light emitting device 10A of Embodiment 2.

[0139] In Modification 2, two light emitting devices 10A are arranged with a heating region S1 sandwiched between them in a plan view. The longitudinal direction of the two light emitting devices 10A is the first direction A1.

[0140] The controller 5 may control the second light-emitting element 12A and the third light-emitting element 12B of the two light-emitting devices 10A independently or synchronously.

[0141] With this configuration, the visibility of the light displayed on the top plate 2 can be further improved.

[0142] Although the example in which the induction heating cooker 1 includes two light emitting devices 10A has been described in Modification 2, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the induction heating cooker 1 may include four light emitting devices 10. For example, two light emitting devices 10 may be arranged side by side in the first direction A1 on each side of the heating region S1 in the second direction A2 in a plan view.

[0143] (Variation 3) An induction heating cooker 1A according to a third modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0144] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an induction heating cooker 1A according to the third modification.

[0145] 11, the induction heating cooker 1A of Modification 3 includes four light emitting devices 10. Other configurations of the induction heating cooker 1A of Modification 3 are similar to those of the induction heating cooker 1A of Embodiment 2. Furthermore, the light emitting device 10 of Modification 4 is similar to the light emitting device 10 of Embodiment 1.

[0146] In variant 3, the four light emitting devices 10 include two light emitting devices 10 arranged with a first heating region S1 between them in a planar view, and two light emitting devices 10 arranged with a second heating region S2 between them in a planar view.

[0147] The four light emitting devices 10 have their longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the first direction A1 in a plan view. Specifically, two light emitting devices 10 arranged with the first heating region S1 therebetween are inclined in a direction approaching each other toward the front side of the top plate 2. Two light emitting devices 10 arranged with the second heating region S2 therebetween are inclined in a direction approaching each other toward the back side of the top plate 2.

[0148] Even with this configuration, it is possible to further improve the visibility of the light displayed on the top plate 2. Furthermore, the four linear lights shine at an angle, making it easy to identify the center of the third heating region S3.

[0149] (Variation 4) A light emitting device 10B according to a fourth modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0150] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a light emitting device 10B according to the fourth modification.

[0151] 12, light emitting device 10B of Modification 4 includes a reflecting portion 24. The other configuration of light emitting device 10B of Modification 4 is similar to the configuration of light emitting device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0152] The reflecting portion 24 is a member that is disposed below the light guide plate 20 and is capable of reflecting light. The reflecting portion 24 reflects light that has passed through the reflecting surface 20a of the light guide plate 20 and guides the light to the upper surface 20b of the light guide plate 20.

[0153] The reflecting section 24 may be configured, for example, as a housing that houses the light emitting device 10, or as a shield that blocks light.

[0154] With this configuration, the amount of light guided to the top plate 2 by the light guide plate 20 can be increased, and brightness unevenness can be further reduced. This further improves the visibility of the light displayed on the top plate 2.

[0155] The housing and shield are not essential components.

[0156] As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate.

[0157] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.

[0158] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiments, the configuration of the light emitting devices 10 and 10A has been described using the above-described examples, but the configuration of the light emitting devices 10 and 10A is not limited to the above-described examples. The light emitting devices 10 and 10A may be configured to be able to display one or more lights on the top plate 2. For example, as described in the first and second embodiments, the visibility may be improved by devising the display of one or more lights displayed on the top plate 2.

[0159] (Outline of the embodiment) (1) The induction cooking appliance of the present disclosure comprises a top plate and a light emitting device disposed below the top plate, the light emitting device including a substrate, a light emitting element mounted on the substrate, and a light guide plate having a longitudinal direction along the top plate and guiding light emitted from the light emitting element, the light guide plate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction, the height dimension of the light guide plate decreasing from the first end toward the second end, and the light guide plate guiding the light entering the light guide plate from the first end to the top plate.

[0160] (2) In the induction cooking device of (1), the light guide plate may have a reflective surface that is inclined from the first end toward the second end toward the top plate and reflects the light.

[0161] (3) In the induction heating cooker of (2), the reflecting surface may be provided with a plurality of protrusions.

[0162] (4) In the induction heating cooker of (3), the plurality of protrusions may be provided at approximately equal intervals.

[0163] (5) In the induction heating cooker of (3) or (4), each of the plurality of protrusions may have a first wall and a second wall intersecting the first wall, the first wall may be positioned closer to the first end than the second wall, and the inclination angle of the second wall relative to the longitudinal direction may be smaller than the inclination angle of the first wall relative to the longitudinal direction.

[0164] (6) In the induction heating cooker according to any one of (2) to (5), the reflecting surface may be provided with irregularities.

[0165] (7) In the induction heating cooker of any one of (1) to (6), the substrate may have a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface opposite the first mounting surface, the light-emitting element may have a first light-emitting element mounted on the first mounting surface and a second light-emitting element mounted on the second mounting surface, and the light guide plate may have a first light guide plate arranged on the first mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the first light-emitting element is incident, and a second light guide plate arranged on the second mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the second light-emitting element is incident.

[0166] (8) The induction cooking device according to any one of (1) to (7) may further include a reflecting portion that is disposed below the light guide plate and is capable of reflecting light.

[0167] (9) Any of the induction heating cookers (1) to (8) may further include a heating coil arranged below the top plate, and in a plan view, may have a heating area in which the heating coil is arranged and a non-heating area outside the heating area in which the heating coil is not arranged, and the light-emitting device may be arranged in the non-heating area.

[0168] (10) In the induction cooking device of (9), the light emitting device may include a plurality of light emitting devices arranged side by side in a first direction from the front to the back of the top plate in a plan view.

[0169] (11) The induction cooking device of (10) may further include a controller for controlling the light emitting devices, and the controller may be capable of independently controlling a plurality of light emitting elements of the plurality of light emitting devices.

[0170] (12) In the induction heating cooker of (9) or (10), a controller for controlling the light-emitting device may be further provided, and the controller may change the brightness of the light-emitting element according to the heating power of the heating coil.

[0171] (13) The induction cooking device of (10) may further include a controller that controls the plurality of light-emitting devices, and the controller may cause the plurality of light-emitting elements of the plurality of light-emitting devices to light up in stages.

[0172] (14) The induction cooking device of (9) may further include a controller for controlling the light-emitting device, and the substrate may have a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface opposite the first mounting surface, the light-emitting element may have a first light-emitting element mounted on the first mounting surface and a second light-emitting element mounted on the second mounting surface, the light guide plate may have a first light guide plate arranged on the first mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the first light-emitting element is incident, and a second light guide plate arranged on the second mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the second light-emitting element is incident, and the controller may be capable of controlling the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element in synchronization.

[0173] (15) The induction cooking device of (9) may further include a controller for controlling the light-emitting device, and the substrate may have a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface opposite the first mounting surface, the light-emitting element may have a first light-emitting element mounted on the first mounting surface and a second light-emitting element mounted on the second mounting surface, the light guide plate may have a first light guide plate arranged on the first mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the first light-emitting element is incident, and a second light guide plate arranged on the second mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the second light-emitting element is incident, and the controller may be capable of independently controlling the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element.

[0174] (16) In the induction cooking device of any one of (10) to (13), the plurality of light emitting devices may be arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plan view, with the heating region sandwiched between them.

[0175] (17) In the induction heating cooker of (16), in a planar view, the heating area may include a first heating area and a second heating area that partially overlaps the first heating area, and the plurality of light-emitting devices may include a plurality of first light-emitting devices arranged with the first heating area and the second heating area sandwiched therebetween in the second direction, and a plurality of second light-emitting devices arranged with the second heating area sandwiched therebetween in the second direction.

[0176] (18) In the induction heating cooker of (17), the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate may be the first direction, and the plurality of first light-emitting devices and the plurality of second light-emitting devices may be arranged intermittently in a row in the first direction.

[0177] (19) The induction heating cooker of (10) may further include a controller that controls the light-emitting devices. In a planar view, the heating area may include a first heating area and a second heating area that partially overlaps the first heating area. The plurality of light-emitting devices may include a plurality of light guide plates and a plurality of light-emitting elements. The plurality of light guide plates may include a first light guide plate arranged in the non-heating area adjacent to the first heating area, a second light guide plate arranged in the non-heating area adjacent to an overlapping area where the first heating area and the second heating area partially overlap, and a third light guide plate arranged in the non-heating area adjacent to the second heating area. The plurality of light-emitting elements may include a first light-emitting element that inputs the light to the first light guide plate, a second light-emitting element that inputs the light to the second light guide plate, and a third light-emitting element that inputs the light to the third light guide plate. The controller may be capable of synchronously controlling the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element, and may be capable of synchronously controlling the second light-emitting element and the third light-emitting element.

[0178] (20) The induction cooking device of (10) may further include a controller that controls the light-emitting devices. In a planar view, the heating area may include a first heating area and a second heating area that partially overlaps the first heating area. The plurality of light-emitting devices may include a plurality of light guide plates and a plurality of light-emitting elements. The plurality of light guide plates may include a first light guide plate disposed in the non-heating area adjacent to the first heating area, a second light guide plate disposed in the non-heating area adjacent to an overlapping area where the first heating area and the second heating area partially overlap, and a third light guide plate disposed in the non-heating area adjacent to the second heating area. The plurality of light-emitting elements may include a first light-emitting element that inputs the light to the first light guide plate, a second light-emitting element that inputs the light to the second light guide plate, and a third light-emitting element that inputs the light to the third light guide plate. The controller may be capable of independently controlling the first light-emitting element, the second light-emitting element, and the third light-emitting element. [Industrial Applicability]

[0179] The present disclosure can be applied to an induction heating cooker that inductively heats an object to be heated, such as a pot. [Explanation of symbols]

[0180] 1,1A induction cooker 2 top plate 3. Housing 4,4A coil unit 5 Controller 6 Operating device 7 Heating Coil 10, 10A, 10B Light-emitting device 11 Circuit Board 11a First mounting surface 11b Second mounting surface 12, 12A, 12B Light-emitting element 20,20A,20B Light guide plate 20a reflective surface 20b Top surface 21 Protrusion 22 1st wall 23 Second wall 24 Reflector A1 1st direction A2 2nd direction C1,C2 center D1 dimension E1 1st end E2 2nd end L11~L16 boundary line L21~L26 boundary line L10, L20 outer perimeter line S1 1st heating area S2 2nd heating area S3 3rd heating area DS1 overlap area NS1 Non-heating area

Claims

1. The top plate and a light emitting device disposed below the top plate; Equipped with The light emitting device comprises: A substrate; a light-emitting element mounted on the substrate; a light guide plate having a longitudinal direction along the top plate and guiding light emitted from the light emitting element; Including, the light guide plate has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in the longitudinal direction, a height dimension of the light guide plate decreases from the first end to the second end, the light guide plate guides the light entering the light guide plate from the first end to the top plate; Induction heating cooker.

2. the light guide plate has a reflective surface that is inclined from the first end toward the second end toward the top plate and that reflects the light; The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 .

3. The reflecting surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions. The induction heating cooker according to claim 2.

4. The plurality of protrusions are provided at approximately equal intervals. The induction heating cooker according to claim 3.

5. Each of the plurality of protrusions has a first wall and a second wall intersecting the first wall, the first wall is disposed at a position closer to the first end than the second wall, an inclination angle of the second wall with respect to the longitudinal direction being smaller than an inclination angle of the first wall with respect to the longitudinal direction; The induction heating cooker according to claim 3.

6. The reflecting surface is provided with irregularities. The induction heating cooker according to claim 2.

7. the substrate has a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface opposite to the first mounting surface, the light-emitting element includes a first light-emitting element mounted on the first mounting surface and a second light-emitting element mounted on the second mounting surface; The light guide plate includes a first light guide plate disposed on the first mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the first light-emitting element is incident, and a second light guide plate disposed on the second mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the second light-emitting element is incident. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 .

8. Further, a reflecting portion is disposed below the light guide plate and is capable of reflecting light. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 .

9. further comprising a heating coil disposed below the top plate; In a plan view, a heating region in which the heating coil is disposed and a non-heating region outside the heating region in which the heating coil is not disposed are provided, The light-emitting device is disposed in the non-heated region. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 .

10. In a plan view, the light emitting device includes a plurality of light emitting devices arranged side by side in a first direction extending from the front to the back of the top plate. The induction heating cooker according to claim 9.

11. a controller for controlling the light emitting device; the controller is capable of independently controlling a plurality of light-emitting elements of the plurality of light-emitting devices; The induction heating cooker according to claim 10.

12. a controller for controlling the light emitting device; The controller changes the brightness of the light-emitting element according to the heating power of the heating coil. The induction heating cooker according to claim 9.

13. a controller for controlling the plurality of light-emitting devices; the controller causes the plurality of light-emitting elements of the plurality of light-emitting devices to light up in stages; The induction heating cooker according to claim 10.

14. a controller for controlling the light emitting device; the substrate has a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface opposite to the first mounting surface, the light-emitting element includes a first light-emitting element mounted on the first mounting surface and a second light-emitting element mounted on the second mounting surface; the light guide plate includes a first light guide plate that is disposed on the first mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the first light-emitting element is incident, and a second light guide plate that is disposed on the second mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the second light-emitting element is incident, The controller is capable of synchronously controlling the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element. The induction heating cooker according to claim 9.

15. a controller for controlling the light emitting device; the substrate has a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface opposite to the first mounting surface, the light-emitting element includes a first light-emitting element mounted on the first mounting surface and a second light-emitting element mounted on the second mounting surface; the light guide plate includes a first light guide plate that is disposed on the first mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the first light-emitting element is incident, and a second light guide plate that is disposed on the second mounting surface side of the substrate and into which light from the second light-emitting element is incident, The controller is capable of independently controlling the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element. The induction heating cooker according to claim 9.

16. In a plan view, the plurality of light emitting devices are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, with the heating region interposed therebetween. The induction heating cooker according to claim 10.

17. In a plan view, the heating region includes a first heating region and a second heating region that partially overlaps with the first heating region; the plurality of light-emitting devices include a plurality of first light-emitting devices arranged with the first heating region therebetween in the second direction, and a plurality of second light-emitting devices arranged with the second heating region therebetween in the second direction, 17. The induction heating cooker according to claim 16.

18. the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate is the first direction, the plurality of first light-emitting devices and the plurality of second light-emitting devices are arranged side by side intermittently in the first direction; 18. The induction heating cooker according to claim 17.

19. a controller for controlling the light emitting device; In a plan view, the heating region includes a first heating region and a second heating region that partially overlaps with the first heating region; the plurality of light emitting devices include a plurality of light guide plates and a plurality of light emitting elements; The plurality of light guide plates include: a first light guide plate disposed in the non-heated region adjacent to the first heated region; a second light guide plate disposed in the non-heated region adjacent to an overlap region where the first heating region and the second heating region partially overlap; a third light guide plate disposed in the non-heated region adjacent to the second heated region; Including, The plurality of light-emitting elements are a first light emitting element that causes the light to enter the first light guide plate; a second light emitting element that causes the light to enter the second light guide plate; a third light emitting element that causes the light to be incident on the third light guide plate; Including, the controller is capable of synchronously controlling the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element, and is also capable of synchronously controlling the second light-emitting element and the third light-emitting element; The induction heating cooker according to claim 10.

20. a controller for controlling the light emitting device; In a plan view, the heating region includes a first heating region and a second heating region that partially overlaps with the first heating region; the plurality of light emitting devices include a plurality of light guide plates and a plurality of light emitting elements; The plurality of light guide plates include: a first light guide plate disposed in the non-heated region adjacent to the first heated region; a second light guide plate disposed in the non-heated region adjacent to an overlap region where the first heating region and the second heating region partially overlap; a third light guide plate disposed in the non-heated region adjacent to the second heated region; Including, The plurality of light-emitting elements are a first light emitting element that causes the light to enter the first light guide plate; a second light emitting element that causes the light to enter the second light guide plate; a third light emitting element that causes the light to be incident on the third light guide plate; Including, the controller is capable of independently controlling the first light-emitting element, the second light-emitting element, and the third light-emitting element; The induction heating cooker according to claim 10.

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